What if Im unhoused or know people who are in my area? Her work as a journalist has encompassed everything from 10 years as a daily news reporter for the East Bay Times, What does it mean to harden my home against fire? WebBerkeley Fire recently took a close look at larger hill or wildfires in the Berkeley-Oakland region dating back to the 1991 Oakland firestorm, and similar to historical research by the Lessons learned from this, and other disasters, Crocker said, include: Q. Talk to friends and family who you might be able to stay with, or consider putting aside money to stay in a hotel. You dont need to get personally involved. They cite the expense of fire-proofing a house or keeping a yard cleared. CalFire Zone includes decks and roofs in Zone 0, calling for removing vegetative debris such as leaves and needles, limiting combustible patio furniture or planters, replacing combustible fencing, gates or arbors with noncombustible alternatives and not storing garbage and recycling bins or RVs or trailers in this area. For suspicious activities, concern about people who may be at risk from fire, or recent indications of fire or flames call the non-emergency police lines: For hazards or emergencies in action, call 911. 0000523424 00000 n
Both will be available in Alameda County. To access:Memorize your Zonehaven evacuation zone number and bookmark the map. They cite large Eucalyptus groves, aging Monterey Pine, and hillsides thick with dry, flammable brush in Tilden Park, smack against residential neighborhoods. In 2017, Emilie was named Journalist This includes replacing flammable materials with fire-retardant or noncombustible options, protecting against embers and removing fire hazards. When do I need to wear a mask or stay indoors? He spent seven of those years at Station 7 in the Berkeley Hills. Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. We love our first responders; theyre amazing, but theyre humans, and they have limited resources, Crocker said. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): These alerts are sent by authorized government agencies such as the National Weather Service, FEMA, and local police and fire departments to WEA-capable phones via your provider. We will continue to have Diablo winds, which will push fire quickly down the hill. FEMAs dedicated text message number is 43362. Protect yourself and your family. AC Alert (app, text, email, phone, push alert, social media): AC Alert is Alameda Countys emergency warning system for life-threatening situations such as an order to evacuate. Call BFD at 510-981-5589 or email fire@cityofberkeley.info. Californias wildfire season typically occurs between spring and late fall due to the warmer temperatures and drier conditions of summer. Every resident of Berkeley and Alameda County is being asked to memorize the number of their evacuation zone. Thats why weve compared information and vetted sources for you, with the aim of providing only credible and recent information from trusted sources. If you live in Fire Zone 2 or 3 (the Berkeley hills) ,the Berkeley Fire Department recommends that you leave during Extreme Fire Weather, before a fire starts. Leaving early gives you the most control over how you will get down the hill and what you can bring. How can I reduce the impact of wildfire smoke inside of my home? Cheryl Miller, the councils executive coordinator, says they currently have a wait list for projects and they hope to hear soon if they get additional funding for the next few years. Information overload can be an issue as you plan for emergencies. Wetting down decks, siding, roofs, etc. My fire insurance was canceled. But for much of the public, its overwhelming. Making sure your address sign is visible from the street day and night, in a contrasting color to your home. A new evacuation software system called Zonehaven is scheduled to go live on June 15. Zone 1 standards call for smaller, thinner and lower vegetation to prevent sparks from flying to your house. Replacing all wood materials such as roofs, siding and decks, fences, and gates with fire-retardant or noncombustible options: composite, cement, metal, clay, tile, fire-treated wood. 0000522234 00000 n
Q. Whos using Zonehaven in the Bay Area now? Evacuations are ordered by zone. No mulch and limited plants. The utility says its also making its wire system safer in high risk fire zones, including in the Berkeley Hills by putting in stronger utility poles, covering power lines and installing wires underground in targeted areas. DAVID GOINES: Remembering an iconic printmaker | CULTURE WAR: Hopkins bike lane | SNOW! The citys map shows each address fire risk zone. Given the current drought and many cities asking to conserve water, I would not recommend the installation of sprinklers. You can read a version of the guide tailored for Oakland residents on The Oaklandside. My power just went out. DAVID GOINES: Remembering an iconic printmaker | CULTURE WAR: Hopkins bike lane | SNOW! To that end, the city has compiled a number of tools to help. The Zonehaven go-live date is scheduled for June 15, barring last-minute changes. Finally, Chin provided a brief update on Berkeleys new outdoor siren warning system, which is expected to launch with five pilot sites this summer. The firestorms combined loss of life, injuries and economic loss what would be more than $4.4 billion today made it one of the worst fires in American history. We know we have big challenges ahead, Roman said. Berkeley voters approved Measure FF in 2020, a special parcel tax which generates $8.5 million annually for firefighting, emergency medical services, and wildfire prevention and preparedness, among related services. WebBerkeley Heights, NJ 07922 Phone: 908-464-2700 Online: Email Regular Hours Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m FEMA Flood Hazard Zone Maps FEMA Flood Hazard Zone Maps. Property owners can face fines and a misdemeanor conviction if they fail to comply after repeated notifications. Be ready for fire weatherand evacuation with these tools and information. You can read a version of the guide tailored for Oakland residents on The Oaklandside. Make a household fire weather plan. By looking at the map, people learn, Crocker said: What zone theyre in, where the incident is, specific instructions for their zone, zone status, and arrival points when available.. Another new program that began in Berkeley this year is called Firewise USA: Neighbors work together to increase ignition resistance and reduce wildfire risk in their area. 0000521950 00000 n
Who will be there to help during and after a wildfire? 2023 Yet this narrow range of weather conditions is when the most destructive fires happen. If you cannot reach your DWA, find a room with an exterior window, and call 911. If you are looking for an alternative to surgery after trying the many traditional approaches to chronic pain, The Lamb Clinic offers a spinal solution to move you toward mobility and wellness again. This may underlie a historic sudden tree die-off in the East Bay Regional Park District, which is sounding major wildfire risk alarms. A. Zonehaven has two products, Evac and Aware. To save money, get a higher deductible, not less coverage. On dry and windy days, PG&E plans power outages as a form of wildfire prevention to minimize the chances of power lines blowing over and sparking a fire. What if I want to protect my home? What do wildfires have to do with air pollution? We cant outsource that 100% to our first responders.. Terms and conditions for the use of this DrLamb.com web site are found via the LEGAL link on the homepage of this site. Perhaps more importantly, they also get access to funding and cost-sharing programs, insurance discounts with certain insurance carriers, as well as possibly keeping your home insurance from being canceled or not renewed, Revilla explained. The plan is essentially a pool of high-risk private insurers available to homeowners as a last resort. The safest place for you to be on a day like that is out of the hills.. Firewood should be at least 30 feet from your house. Why do power outages occur more often during fire season? But most emergency planners feel strongly that you should do all you can to make your property more defensible, even with the unknown. (We asked for the countywide cost and havent received this information yet.). 0000522594 00000 n
But does this even help and, more importantly, is this water use OK during a drought? Trimming trees for 10 feet of clearance from other trees and from your chimney. As a rule, landscape with drought-tolerant, fire-resistant plants. Most phones made after 2012 are WEA-capable, but confirm your phones capability with your wireless phone provider. Everyone is encouraged to see their own healthcare professional to review what is best for them. Khin Chin, BFDs emergency services coordinator, closed out the departments presentation in May by reminding residents about key resources they can use to help them stay safe. We know we have big challenges ahead, Berkeley Fire Chief Abe Roman said recently. WebTo park in a yellow curb zone for up to 20 minutes, drivers must have either a City of Berkeley Business Decal, a marked vehicle with logos and lettering or commercial plates issued by the DMV. Make sure all of your valuables are covered for replacement, such as antiques and artwork. This is easier for some people to manage financially than others. Wildfire threat is closely tied to weather conditions. The Berkeley Fire Department recommends that residents make plans to leave the hills during periods of Extreme Fire Weather. Single evacuation view is needed across multiple counties. Incident level information needed, not jurisdictional level. One of the biggest ways anyone can help with wildland fire is to report anything you see, hear or smell that could mean fire. What help is available if I cant afford the high costs of fire prevention? There are a couple of online services that might help. Zonehaven also interfaces with Waze, real-time GPS-guided traffic maps. If you live inFire Zone 2 or 3 (the Berkeley hills),the Berkeley Fire Department recommends that you leave during Extreme Fire Weather, before a fire starts. Theres a growing variety of online tools, apps and maps out there, some of which might help save a life or a property. Am I legally required to evacuate? Some local hotels offer special rates to residents during fire season. Check your phones capability, and dont turn the WEA alert option off. To access: Go to the National Weather Service website. The increased urban risks from wildland fire are spurring interest in evacuation planning throughout the western United States, including California and the Bay Area. Assessing wildland fire risk is an educated guess. Memorize your zone number. Which apps and websites can help me during a wildfire? Sign up for emergency notifications. To access: Sign up for warnings on the AC Alert website or by downloading the Everbridge app. Concerns over wildfire are etched in the history of the East Bay hills. A. What does it mean to harden my home against fire? CalFire sets the gold standard of defensible space. Consider including living expense coverage to cover the time it takes for rebuilding. Were in the same boat as Waze and Google, Crocker said. For property owners, fire prevention can be expensive. This includes Northern California wildfires in Napa, Sonoma, Butte, Yolo, Lake, Colusa, Plumas and Yuba counties, as well as the 1991 Oakland firestorm, also called the Tunnel Fire. City officials said the evolving fire threat demands a different type of response. There may be overlap between AC Alert and Nixle messages, but warnings for life-threatening situations will come first via AC Alert. Create a resilient, safe, connected, and prepared City, Be a customer-focused organization that provides excellent, timely, easily accessible service and information to the community. Some legal-watchers expect more regulations around home hardening or making your home less vulnerable to fire in the future, though funding for this will be challenging. It can provide detailed information on fire code requirements for everything from a rental house to a multi-unit apartment complex. During any major fire, and especially during a drought, water is precious. From a DWA, call 911 (510-642-3333 via cell) for assistance. Zones are built by local emergency planners in collaboration with Zonehaven. What should I do? Vegetation fires in these areas, including in the Eastshore State Park, can potentially spread into urban and residential areas, depending on the weather, said Berkeley Fire Chief Abe Roman. City Map - 2011. PG&E has also produced a seven-part video series called 7 Saturdays with tips about how homeowners can protect their properties against wildfires. 2023 The plan will be tailored to Berkeleys specific needs and conditions, said Assistant Berkeley Fire Chief Chris Pinto. Free for all, funded by readers. American Red Cross (apps, map): The nonprofit American Red Cross offers a variety of free apps to help with emergency preparation and response, including a first aid app, a pet first aid app and a severe weather emergency app that lets you monitor emergency alerts, locally and far away. And, on top of that, climate change is definitely here. An interactive map displays the parcel number and zoning for adjacent parcels. All Berkeley residents, indeed, all Alameda County residents, will live in a zone identified by a number. Evacuation management is a completely new sport, said Crocker of Zonehaven. Never let your coverage lapse because it opens a window when many companies cancel or refuse to renew. In October 1991, gusting dry winds spread a firestorm through 2.5 square miles of mostly residential neighborhoods, destroying nearly 3,500 homes and apartment units in what would be known as the Oakland firestorm. This includes active or recent signs of campfire, candles, stoves and lamps. Removing lower tree branches at least 10 feet from the ground. Once you reach the Property Summary page for a subject property, click on either: Connect with us online, by phone, or in person. WebBerkeleys vegetation management program applies to the citys hillside fire zones, which are made up of two zones, called 2 and 3. Removing dead branches that hang over your house. What is a go bag and how do I make one? Your plan will: Will you wait to evacuate after fire starts, or will you leave during periods of heightened threat? When we do have an extreme fire weather day, that means fires can spread quickly, Chin said. Flying embers and intense radiant heat pose the greatest dangers to buildings during wildfires. This year, the tax will fund more than $3.5 million in wildfire preparedness efforts alone. Whats being done to reduce the risk of wildfires in Berkeley? A. The hazard is ranked in three categories: moderate, high and very high. Multiple (contiguous) county mapping and planning are needed. In 2020, Berkeley had 25 days of Red Flag Warnings and only 2 days of Extreme Fire Weather. Chin also encouraged attendees to sign up for disaster preparedness training updates via the citys Community Emergency Response Team. Berkeley has a free chipper program to grind tree limbs and brush in high fire risk zones and haul away chippings. The hot dry winds associated with advancing wildfires result in rapid evaporation long before flames and embers reach a home.. endstream
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Learn more about Berkeleys green building requirements. Berkeley requires that buildings in certain hillside zones use materials and construction methods that will make them resistant to wildfire. The requirements apply to fire zones 2 and 3. Look up which fire zone your property is by searching for your address in the parcel conditions map. The research also found three major fires that started during the more common west winds, which blow east from the Pacific Ocean. The first incident commander sets up the command center and whips out a big map on their hood, said May, who helped fight the Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa with Berkeley crews. The goal is to protect your home and yard from catching fire from a flying ember, or from surging flames. How should I prepare to evacuate my pets? Its been a labor of love, said May, who oversees evacuation operations for the Berkeley Fire Department. More by Kate Darby Rauch. Look for horizontal as well as vertical spacing, so upper branches are spaced apart. Consider first responder access when building or designing fencing of any material. In an emergency, listen for your zone number on the radio (1610 AM in Berkeley), look for it on Twitter and Facebook and use Zonehavens real-time evacuation map to see where to go. You can also check your phone on the Cellular Communications Industry Association website. Berkeley Fire Chief Abe Roman told attendees that the biggest development for the department this year has been due to Measure FF, an $8.5-million-per-year emergency services parcel tax passed by voters in 2020. Nonprofit news. And a herd of thousands of cattle, sheep and goats munch their way toward greater fire safety. Should I use sprinklers or hose down my yard or deck during a fire? As of now in the East Bay, most home hardening is optional, not required. Weve been preparing all winter long on fire prevention activities like fuel breaks and prescribed burns. The guide first published on July 29, 2021, and last updated on June 7, 2022 was written by Kate Darby Rauch and Brian Krans, edited by Zac Farber and Jacob Simas, designed by Doug Ng and illustrated by T.L. xref
Most of these fires occurred during the Diablo winds dry, hot, fierce currents that typically blow for only 1-3 days a year with speeds up to 45 mph. Wildfires are now more frequent, destructive, and fast-moving than ever. This Emergency Access and Evacuation Network map identifies roads with capacity for more cars. Even if you mow, weed and trim bushes on your own, most people need to hire out for heavy work, such as removing or trimming trees. Credit: City of Berkeley. Credit: Zonehaven Update, June 15, 8:30 a.m. 0000520194 00000 n
If you havent yet heard of the wildfire plan, thats because work just kicked off in May. Participants of the program get national recognition for their work, he said. A. If youre a homeowner in the hills, heres what you should do now: Insurance companies have to give you a 75 day-notice of cancellation under state law. More details are available on the councils website or by calling 510-282-1265. Check what your homeowners insurance covers and make sure its enough to help you rebuild if needed, taking into account updated square footage, improvements and current building costs (from a contractor). In the Bay Areas moist summer fog belt, the East Bays wildland fire risk tends to concentrate during dry, warm, windy conditions. In a drought, sprinkler systems for fire prevention arent a good idea. The fear is that fires starting in dry open space will spread quickly over the urban interface into densely populated areas with woodsy yards, homes and other structures. 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